Community volunteer puts name in Three Rivers mayoral race

Anne Van Donkersgoed believes it will take a fresh voice to bring the new Three Rivers community together.

The Valleyfield mother has announced she’ll be running for mayor in the upcoming Nov. 5 municipal election.

Van Donkersgoed believes the province essentially forced amalgamation and that the Three Rivers steering committee worked hard to get “the best situation they could.”

“But I also know, from watching the process and attending meetings, it’s going to take somebody from the outside to draw everybody together. You cannot be part of a process with so much antagonism and then be the person who pulls everything together,” said Van Donkersgoed, adding that she has rural roots and an appreciation for larger municipalities.

“I think I have the ability to draw the rural areas and communities together.”

Other declared mayoral candidates for Three Rivers mayor include Jim Bagnall, Richard Collins and Ed MacAulay.

Van Donkersgoed lives in Valleyfield with her husband Ed and two adopted daughters Gracie and Emma.

She previously worked for 14 years at Riverview Manor as a resident care worker. She also worked at the Habitat for Humanity Restore and in the food industry.

Her volunteer history includes years as a foster parent and working with various sports organizations, community groups and individuals.

For the last four years, she’s been a driving force behind the annual Christmas dinner in Montague, as well as putting on a community dinner every second week.

“That’s how I have been in the community, spending my time seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Now, I’d like to do that in a more formal way,” she said.